Grand Theft Auto III is the third numbered game in the popular Grand Theft Auto franchise, developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 22 October 2001 for the PlayStation 2, on 20 May 2002 for Microsoft Windows PC, and on 31 October 2003 for the Xbox, and re-released an anniversary version on mobile platforms in 2011. GTA III is the first foray into true three-dimensional GTA gameplay, with the player taking control of the game via a third-person perspective, viewed from behind and above the player character, as opposed to the Top-Down Perspective in earlier Grand Theft Auto games. Set within the fictional Liberty City, based on New York City, the game follows Claude after he is left for dead and quickly becomes entangled in a world of gangs, crime and corruption.

The following weapons are seen in the video game Grand Theft Auto III:

Handguns

Colt M1911A1

The first firearm Claude uses is the M1911A1, known simply as the 'Pistol'. It is first seen when Catalina shoots Claude in the opening bank robbery, then is later given to Claude in either Pump-Action Pimp or Farewell 'Chunky' Lee Chong, depending on which mission the player chooses first, and becomes available for purchase at the Portland AmmuNation afterwards. It is used by the Liberty City Police Department and every gang in the city; the notable exception being the Diablos in the beginning of the game - they only carry bats until Claude betrays them for King Courtney's Yardie Posse. It is referred to as a "Nine" by Luigi Gotterelli (Joe Pantoliano), Joey Leone (Michael Rapaport), and even the clerk at AmmuNation; although this seems incorrect, numerous commercial and/or converted variants and 1911 clones/copies actually exist in 9mm. It has a twelve round magazine capacity (incorrect for a standard 1911, even converted to 9mm, however certain calibers and hi-capacity clones utilize 12 round mags).

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

In-game model of the M1911A1.

M1911A1 HUD icon.

Catalina duel wields two M1911A1's when she betrays Claude in the game's opening.

Claude holds the M1911A1 on Catalina and Miguel.

A Columbian gang member ready to execute Claude with an M1911A1.

Claude using the M1911A1.

Claude armed with the M1911A1.

Shotguns

Remington 870 Folding Stock

The shotgun in the game is a Remington 870 Folding Stock. It has a slow rate of fire, but is very powerful at close range - being able to hit multiple targets from its spray effect. It first appears in the hands of Claude during the opening bank robbery, then later in the hands of the Pump-Action Pimp. It is also used by the Leone mafiosi after Claude assassinates Salvatore Leone (Frank Vincent), the clerk at AmmuNation, Curly Bob in Cutting The Grass, and the guy (Carlos) who kills Marty Chonks at the end of Her Lover. They can be found with five rounds of ammunition inside of LCPD police cars, or can be purchased from Phil Cassidy.

Remington 870 Police Magnum with stock folded - 12 gauge

The In-game Remington 870 Shotgun.

Remington 870 HUD icon.

Claude with the Remington 870 during the bank robbery in the game's opening.

Claude using the Remington 870 (Note the spread pattern of the pellets).

Claude armed with the Remington 870.

Submachine Guns

IMI Micro Uzi

The Micro Uzi, with the folding stock removed is carried by the LCPD SWAT team, the Yakuza, the Colombians, and the Southside Hoods. Claude can use it to perform drive-by shootings. It is first seen being used by Pump Action Pimp's Diablo bodyguard and is available for purchase at the Portland AmmuNation after Cipriani's Chauffeur, and later at the Staunton Island AmmuNation. It has a 25-round magazine capacity. Note it appears to also feature an orange tip on the muzzle - a feature usually reserved for toy weapons (though real life criminals often disguise their weapons by painting the muzzle orange).

IMI Micro Uzi with 32 round magazine - 9x19mm

The In-game Micro Uzi.

Micro Uzi HUD icon.

Claude using the Micro Uzi.

Claude using the Micro Uzi in a drive-by.

Claude armed with the Micro Uzi.

Assault Rifles

Romanian WASR-2 "AK-47"

Although referred to as an AK-47, it more closely resembles a WASR-2 (Note the black pistol grip, and the slightly curved, thinner, solid black magazine). It is used by the Colombians and, strangely, the FBI. It can be purchased at the AmmuNation on Staunton Island. It is first seen in Bomb Da Base, being used by the carteleros guarding the freighter. It holds 30 rounds.

Romanian WASR-2 AK clone.

The In-game AK.

AK HUD icon.

Claude using the AK.

Claude firing the AK from a building.

Claude armed with the AK .

Armalite AR-10 "M16"

Although referred to as an "M16", it is actually the similar Armalite AR-10. (Note the design of the forearm, the shape and thickness of the barrel, the lack of a forward assist, and the characteristic foregrip with holes). It has the aftermarket 30-round magazine (which unrealistically holds the 60 rounds). Rifle in the game has the ridiculously high rate of fire, and can be manually aimed in first-person mode. It is carried by Phil Cassidy, Colombian gangsters, and the U.S. Army National Guard. Making its first appearance when the Colombians ambush the prisonbound police convoy to kidnap the Oriental Gentleman in Give Me Liberty. It first appears in actual gameplay during Under Surveillance in the hands of the Leones' vengeful hit squad. It can be purchased from Phil Cassidy after rescuing him from the Colombians.

Armalite AR-10, "Sudanese" model - 7.62x51mm NATO. At this rifle, the top mounted charging handle is absent, and instead on the rear mounted cocking handle as seen on the AR-15. In-game version apparently also has a similar conversion.

The in-game AR-10 "M16".

"M16" HUD icon.

A Columbian threatens a LCPD Officer with a AR-10.

Phil Cassidy armed with a AR-10.

Claude using the AR-10.

Claude armed with the AR-10.

Sniper Rifles

Remington 700

The Remington 700 must be manually aimed to be fired, otherwise it will "click" as if it were empty. It is first used by Claude to cover 8 Ball while he rigs the cartel's freighter for scuttling during Bomb Da Base. It can be purchased from the AmmuNation on Staunton Island.

Remington 700 - .308 Winchester

The In-game Remington.

Remington 700 HUD icon.

Calude armed with the Remington 700.

Looking through the scope of the Remington 700.

Heavy Weapons

M72 LAW

Like the Remington 700, the M72 LAW must be manually aimed to fire. Claude holds it backwards and uses the endcap as a grip. He uses one to shoot down Catalina's helicopter in the final mission in the game, The Exchange. It is available for purchase from Phil Cassidy after Claude rescues him from the Colombians.

M72A2 LAW 66mm

The In-game LAW.

LAW HUD icon.

Claude armed with the LAW.

Aiming the LAW.

Aftermath of the LAW.

Flamethrower

A hand held flamethrower appears in the game, and can set anything flammable on fire. It can be purchased from a garage in Shoreside Vale. It is first used against the Triads in Trial By Fire. The weapon itself does not resemble any actual flamethrower and seems to be entirely fabricated for the game.

Flamethrower In-game.

Flamethrower HUD icon

Claude armed with the Flamethrower.

Claude using the Flamethrower.

Grenades

M67 Grenade

The hand grenade in the game is the M67 hand grenade. First gifted to Claude by Toni Cipriani (Michael Madsen) in Taking Out The Laundry. They are available for purchase at the Staunton Island AmmuNation. Their detonation is identical to the impact of the LAW.

M67 fragmentation grenade

The In-game Grenade.

Grenade HUD icon

Claude using the Grenade.

Cut Weapons

Mine

A land mine was originally intended to be usable in the game. It was cut for an unknown reason but can still be found within the game files.